New, Old Watering Technique
A simple, ancient watering system developed by the Chinese more than 2,000 years ago can be almost as effective as today's drip irrigation systems. The Chinese buried porous clay pots or pitchers in the soil next to plants and keep them filled with water. The water that gradually leached into the soil through the porous sides of the pots kept plants watered with little waste and little effort.
You can mimic this ancient watering technique in your garden. Simply bury clay flower pots up to their rims close to the plants you want to water. To keep water in the pot, plug up the drainage hole with florist's clay (which is waterproof). Fill the pot with water and check it daily to keep the water level high. If you don't have many clay pots, you can try plastic gallon milk jugs with just a few very small holes punched in their sides and bottoms. When you place your pots or jugs in the ground, be sure to leave room for the plant's roots to develop. The best strategy is to place the pots in the ground at the same time you plant your seedlings. If you try to install ground watering pots at a late stage in your garden development you run the risk of disturbing the roots of mature plants.